2022 Chalk Line Magazine Issue #6

CHALK LINE

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Chalk Line

2022 EDITION - ISSUE #6

Table of Contents

Page 4

MESSAGE FROM OUR OMB PRESIDENT

Page 5

2022 YEAR-AT-A-GLANCE

Page 6

OMB CHRISTMAS PARTY

Page 7

MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Page 8-9

FOSTERING CAREERS IN CONSTRUCTION

Page 10-11

2022 TOUR OF HOMES AWARD WINNERS

Page 12-13

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS UPDATE

Page 14

OMB RENEWING MEMBERS

Make

New Members! welcome

Joining in AUG & SEPT 2022!

Veteran’s Lending Group/Olympia-Tumwater

300 Deschutes Way SE. #207

Olympia, WA 98516

360-561-0180

ystanton@vlending.com

Sponsor: Daniel Doyle

Hometown Property Management 1600 4th Ave E.

Olympia, WA 98506

360-918-5242

lisa@hometownpm.com

Sponsor: Becky Rieger

Caliber Homeloans

2411 Pacific Ave. SE, Ste. B

Olympia, WA 98501

360-280-1467

brandy.nelms@caliberhomeloans.com

Sponsor: Debbi Boyd

EOS Homes, LLC

170 Settlers Lane

Chehalis, WA 98532

360-269-0738 esohomesllc@gmail.com

Sponsor: Kelly Jensen

Prime Lending 4444 Lacey Blvd SE, Ste. E

It's Hire-A-Pro time – our printed and online membership directory.

Please log on to OMB.org today to update your company information!

Lacey, WA 98503

360-338-7992

bcarver@primelending.com

Sponsor: John Johnson

Dickey’s Inc.

3503 South Bay Rd. NE

Olympia, WA 98506

360-705-9957

office@dickeys-inc.com

Sponsor: Dan Carnahan

Wrapping up a successful year!

Ican't believe that it is already November and I find myself wrapping up my final two months as your 2022 OMB President. It definitely has been an exciting and productive year.

As an on-going effort, Olympia Master Builders has taken on the skilled labor issue in our area and prioritizing opportunities to tap into our local youth, encouraging them to think about pursuing careers in construction.

PRESIDENT JOHN McKINLAY

Moving into the 2023-24 school year, we have big plans for our presence in our local schools to help encourage kids to look at different options for their future. If you are interested in being a mentor or lending your time and expertise to talk with kids, please contact OMB staff and we can help arrange that relationship.

We are also hoping that you, our members, consider taking an active role in approaching the lack of skilled labor challenge that we all currently face. On pages 8-9, you will find a list of ideas and activities, on ways to engage your company to help impact the future of our workforce.

Workforce development is also a term that has recently taken a front and center role in our industry. Locally, OMB and BIAW have made a priority of offering employee training, development opportunities, and continuing education programs to support the labor demand of our evergrowing industry. Our Executive Officer, Angela White, accepted a position to sit on the Board of Directors for Pacific Mountain WorkForce Development Council. PacMtn oversees WorkSource, which houses the demand-driven and integrated system of partners dedicated to developing community prosperity, one job seeker and one employer at a time. This partnership is very beneficial for the future of our industry.

As 2022 begins to wind down, I do hope to see you at one of the many networking events, council and committee meetings left on our calendar – especially the Christmas Party on December 9th! See you there with bells on!

Here are the details:

• The top recruiter will win the choice of a Blackstone Griddle or a Visa gift card both with a $500 value (must recruit at least 5 members).

• 2nd Place will receive Kracken tickets (must recruit at least 2 members). *In case of a tie a name will be drawn.

• Each member that recruits one member will receive a raffle ticket and can enter to win a basket.

• Winners will be announced at the Christmas Party on December 9th.

Chalk Line

Official Publication of the Olympia Master Builders

1211 State Avenue NE, Olympia WA 98506

Phone: (360) 754-0912 • www.omb.org

The Olympia Master Builders is a professional trade association representing 480 member companies located in Thurston, Lewis, Grays Harbor, Mason and Pacific Counties. Our members come from all sectors of the building trades and are committed to “building strong communities, one home at a time.”

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

President – John McKinlay

First Vice President – Becky Rieger

Second Vice President – Chris Winters Treasurer – Kim Asay

Associate Vice President – Rusty Ruiz

Second Associate VP – Forrest Wilson

Secretary – Barb Whitlow

Immediate Past President – John Erwin

Builder At Large - Jeff Kuster

ELECTED DIRECTORS - TWO YEAR TERM

Builder Director - Barry Jespersen

Builder Director – Jeff Kuster

Builder Director – Kirk Haffner

Builder Director – Danny Doyle

Builder Director - Mike Koidahl

Builder Director – Kai Fyrst

Associate Director – Scott Woods

Associate Director – Daniel Berner

Associate Director – Kelly Jensen

Associate Director – Forrest Wilson

NATIONAL DIRECTORS - ONE YEAR TERM

National Director - Builder – John McKinlay

National Director - Builder - Karen McClennen

National Director - Associate - Linda Mosier-Vaudt

STATE DIRECTORS - ONE YEAR TERM

State Director - Builder – John McKinlay

State Director - Builder – Harv Lillegard

State Director - Builder – Andrew Spear

State Director - Builder – John Johnson

State Director - Builder – Steve Waltemate

State Director - Builder – John Erwin

State Director - Builder – Kai Fyrst

State Director - Builder – Karen McClennen

State Director - Builder – Danny Doyle

State Director - Associate – Daniel Berner

State Director - Associate – Janine Ezzell

State Director - Associate - Debbi Boyd

State Director - Associate – John Canfield

State Director – Associate – Bob Kagy

GRAYS HARBOR CHAPTER OFFICERS

President – Harv Lillegard, Lillegard Construction

LEWIS COUNTY CHAPTER OFFICERS

President – John Johnson, Johnson Custom Homes

MASON COUNTY CHAPTER OFFICERS

President – Andrew Spear, Andrew Spear Construction, LLC

PACIFIC COUNTY CHAPTER OFFICERS

President – Steve Waltemate, SAW Construction Co., Inc.

LEGAL COUNSEL

Teena Williams, Goldstein Law Office, PLLC

ASSOCIATION STAFF

Executive Officer – Angela White

Events Director – Brianna Bedell

Communications Director – Jill Williams

Membership Director – Jenn Wasson

Government Affairs Director – Jessie Simmons

Office Administrator – Rodolfo Bonilla Franco

Year 2022 At A Glance

Over 28 Networking and Fundraising Events. Notable fact: our Hot Havana Nights Silent and Live Auction brought in a total of $63,396!

Notable fact: this year's golf tournament sold out 144 registrations within the first two weeks.

The total amount given in ROII refunds was $2,711,043.47 issued to 145 of our members. Notable fact: the largest 2022 check issued was $212,371.11.

Our Education Foundation gave out $13,500 in scholarships to 5 students pursuing careers in the construction industry.

The OMB membership committee brought in 46 new members this year and our retention rate is currently 86%.

Notable fact: our retention rate is up 10% from 2020.

The Affordable Housing Council endorsed 4 candidates in 2022 with financial support in the amount of $4,500.

THE OMB MVP AWARD GOES TO..... Dan Carnahan of Carnahan's Pest Control Co.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!

A BIG Shout out and thank you to Dan Carnahan for stepping up and helping with landscaping and yard maintenance at the OMB building while we search for a new landscaping company!

EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S MESSAGE

2022 is Coming to a Close

As we close the book on 2022 at Olympia Master Builders, I think we can agree it’s been nice to be back to a bit more “normal”. While we are still feeling the affects of Covid in several ways being back to in-person events and meetings has been great! Both the BIG Home and Garden Show and the Tour of Homes had great attendance by the public who were excited to be back out and participating!

OFFICER ANGELA WHITE

Labor issues have continued to plague members throughout 2022, along with building material shortages and rising interest rates. In fact, labor shortages were the most listed reason for members who chose not to participate in the 2022 BIG Home and Garden Show. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes dropped eight points in October. The count on unfilled construction jobs has jumped drastically over the last year as well. As the housing market slows, pressure will be taken off the tight labor market. Though according to NAHB’s Chief Economist Robert Dietz, the long-term labor challenge will persist beyond an expected near-term recession (read more on page 8).

Coming out of the pandemic, OMB started offering a few new items for members!

First, the Professional Women in Building (PWB) group, led by Chair Debbi Boyd of Real Estate of the South Sound, increased

their offerings with the addition of Food for Thought Breakfasts. These breakfast meetings bring in quality speakers with a whole range of professional topics. For those of you who don’t know, PWB was chartered at NAHB in January of 2020 after the hard work of Debbi and several other OMB members. PWB membership and events are open to all members, you do not have to be a woman to join. If you are interested in participating email Jill Williams at jill@omb.org for more information.

OMB also started up a Contactors Roundtable under the leadership of Chair Daniel Doyle of Doyle Construction, LLC. The Contractors Roundtable meets each month and roundtables with new and seasoned Contractors on topics that have ranged from contracts to hiring quality employees. This group has been instrumental in the sharing of ideas and knowledge among contractors in our Association. Please email staff@omb.org if you would like to be added to the mailing list for the Contractors Roundtable.

OMB has also added two new team members in 2022, Rodolfo Bonilla Franco, Office Administrator and Jessie Simmons, Government Affairs Director!

Thank you all for your continued support of Olympia Master Builders and the mission of housing affordability for all economic segments of society.

EXECUTIVE

CAREERS IN CONSTRUCTION HOW YOU CAN HELP AS AN INDUSTRY BUSINESS OWNER

Managing the ebbs and flows of our recent economy due to COVID has been a challenge, but fortunately the housing market continues to rise, and our members are directly feeling the benefit to their workloads. This is a promising constant for our industry! Although, our building community along with the entire nation, is faced with the challenge of keeping up with the mass demand of remodeling and new building projects because of the widespread shortage of skilled labor.

The solution to this overwhelming issue is unknown. What we do know is that as industry veterans start to retire and leave the workforce, no one is there to fill in their shoes – in part, a result of decades of encouraging students to attend a four-year college rather than considering careers in the trades. Another challenge we are seeing is that as trade-based programs have been eliminated from high schools, kids are not being exposed to a variety of options of trade work that may interest them.

Over the past couple of years, Olympia Master Builders has taken on the skilled labor issue in our area and prioritizing opportunities to tap into our local youth, encouraging them to think about pursuing careers in construction.

One of our primary goals at OMB is developing a professional building industry. Accomplishing this goal requires us to not only look at our current professional industry, but also the workforce yet to be. It is part of our goal to help foster relationships and help encourage future employees and business owners to enter the construction trades as well as support those already doing the work.

One way to do that is to increase public awareness of the opportunities available in construction trade professions. And to get out in front of our potential future workforce by attending Career Days, hosting Workforce Development workshops, and to encourage our members to lend their skills and knowledge by doing the same. Ongoing efforts are important to achieve our industry-wide goal of increasing the number of professional construction related employees in our area.

Here are a few suggested activities that YOU, as business owners, can do in your community to spread the word about careers in construction.

OPEN UP YOUR SITE:

Consider opening up one of your construction sites and host a field trip. Arrange for students to tour the site and gather first-hand information about what it takes to have a successful career in construction.

"WORKING TOWARD OUR PROFESSIONAL WOMEN BUILDERS COUNCIL MISSION TO HELP TRAIN UP A STRONG WORKFORCE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IS NOT ONLY ESSENTIAL, BUT REWARDING. I'VE BEEN ABLE TO ATTEND HIGH SCHOOL CAREER FAIRS AND EVENTS TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE TO CONSIDER A CAREER IN CONSTRUCTION. THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE EYE OPENING AND FINANCIALLY REWARDING TO THESE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE INSPIRED TO FIND A FAMILY WAGE CAREER AND JOB THAT THEY LOVE THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY REQUIRE A COSTLY 4 YEAR DEGREE. BRINGING ON A NEW GENERATION OF CONTRACTORS AND SUBCONSTRACTORS IS A REAL NEED TO MEET HOUSING DEMANDS"

BUILD A RESUME:

Check in with the local high school guidance counselors and coordinate a resume building session to help students prepare for a career in construction. Provide interview and resume tips.

VISIT A CLASSROOM:

Present the customizable Careers in the Construction Trades PowerPoint (available through OMB or NAHB) to local middle school and high school students. You can also access the Cheat Sheet for using the Careers in Construction Trades presentation.

HOST A JOB SHADOW DAY: Plan a day to coordinate with the local schools to host a job shadow

- Gina Carlson, Dunamis Interior Design + Build

day. To meet future workforce demands, educators and employers need to reach out to the next generation of construction craft professionals. It is through industry and education partnerships that students get first-hand work experience.

• Young people spend time with adults at their workplace

• Students see the responsibilities and daily tasks, as they spend time in the work environment.

CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYEE DAY:

Just as important as it is to entice new employees into the trades workforce, it is equally important to recognize those already working in the industry. Schedule a Construction Employee Day to honor your construction management and construction trade professionals. Show your employees they are appreciated...

• Company-wide party, picnic or luncheon

• Gifts with company logo

• Recognize an employee of the year

PLEASE SHARE THESE STATISTICS WITH YOUTH WHEN TALKING ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF CAREERS IN CONSTRUCTION

Tour of Homes Awards

People’s Choice Awards

Best Curb Appeal:

Doyle Construction, LLC

Best Kitchen:

Lifespan Construction, Inc.

Best Master Bath:

Brown Building Contractors

Best Floor Plan:

First Finishers, LLC and Sparrow Design Co.

Best Design & Staging:

Interior Dimensions & Oyster Bay Construction

Best Remodel:

First Finishers, LLC and Sparrow Design Co.

Best of Show:

John Erwin Remodeling, Inc.

Judges’ Choice Awards

Honorable Mention:

4th Dimension Construction

Best Curb Appeal:

John Erwin Remodeling, Inc.

Best Kitchen:

First Finishers, LLC and Sparrow Design Co.

Best Master Bath:

John Erwin Remodeling, Inc.

Best Floor Plan:

NW Concept Construction & Artisans Group

Best Design & Staging:

First Finishers, LLC and Sparrow Design Co.

Best of Show:

First Finishers, LLC and Sparrow Design Co.

Additional Award

Members Doing Business with Members: John Erwin Remodeling, Inc.

Government Affairs

2022 Year In Review

The

Government Affairs Committee continues to be your ear to the ground for local and state government decisions or proposals that will impact the success of the building industry. The past year has presented both challenges and some success. We have actively engaged in everything from the proposed changes at the State Building Codes Council to implementation of local habitat conservation plans."

- Jessie Simmons Government Affairs Director

Washington State – The Washington State Building Codes Council (SBCC) presented several changes to the state building code for implementation starting in July of 2023. They held public hearings in Yakima and in Olympia where they heard testimony in support of and against many of these changes. The hearings were also accessible via Zoom, where the public was allowed to submit virtual testimony. The proposals from the SBCC included changes across a wide variety of sections, but the changes specifically of interest and impactful to our members were mainly to the residential energy code.

Those changes include, but are not limited to:

• Natural gas may no longer be used for space heating for both residential and commercial   - heat pumps will be required on all new construction.

• All water heaters must be heat pump water heaters - no natural gas or electric resistance.

• All air handlers and heat pump water heaters must be located in conditioned space.

• Lowering the maximum U-value of windows to 0.28.

• Lowering the maximum air exchange rate to 3.0 ACH50.

• Mandating EV electrical charging circuits in all new construction.

Fortunately, the Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) has been following this issue closely and working directly with Olympia Master Builders to gauge member opinion on

the changes and generate an effort to add the voices of our members to the input of the public. OMB Government Affairs Director, Jessie Simmons, was able to provide testimony at the October 14th hearing, as well as several OMB members. Through such testimony members were able to voice concerns on the cost to builders and the impacts on the already overburdened residents seeking to fulfill their dreams of owning a home.

In all, several hundred people from, or associated with, the building industry were able to provide testimony and raise awareness of the impacts to housing affordability across the State of Washington. In person, virtual, and written testimonies were provided. BIAW and OMB continue to monitor the direction of these changes, but ultimately feel grateful for the voices who chose to speak up. It is often uncomfortable to put oneself out there, but the importance of having industry experts at the table cannot be understated.

Thurston County – Thurston County has been engaged in talks with the US Department of Fish and Wildlife (USDFW) for some time now. After 2022, we can announce what would seem to be the first steps toward a solution to this confusing process. The most significant of which is the decision by USDFW to accept Thurston County’s Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). The impacts of this decision will greatly impact the process through which all future development may occur in Thurston County and how such development must nav-

igate balancing projects with protecting the habitat for those species deemed threatened by that development via the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

Federal approval means that Thurston County has been issued a 30year incidental take permit that will clear the way for implementation of the HCP beginning in 2023. In theory, acceptance of the HCP means a clear process that will create less hassle with surveying and permitting and better affordability.

Currently, the county is conducting hearings on changes to local code that will impact a smooth implementation of the overall process. They have presented to the public proposals for mitigation credits and the costs of those credits, changes to the reasonable use exception under the county’s Critical Areas Code, and potential waivers for the delegation of mitigation sites for the houseless individuals and families. Olympia Master Builders (OMB) has had representation, and provided testimony, at each of the public hearings on these items. The focus of that testimony has been on reducing costs to the builder and ultimately promoting housing affordability for members of our community. The process is ongoing, and OMB Government Affairs continues to monitor and take action where necessary.

On the horizon – OMB Government Affairs continues to be your ear to the ground for local and state government decisions or proposals that will impact the success of the building industry. The past year has presented both challenges and some success. We have actively engaged in everything from the proposed changes at the State Building Codes Council to implementation of local habitat conservation plans. However, the challenging work of bringing the voice of our members to the table at every discussion never ends. So, we ask that you consider getting involved with the Government Affairs committee and be a part of the discussion on the upcoming issues for 2023 including:

• Continued discussion around the implementation of Thurston County’s Habitat Conservation Plan.

• Proposed residential zoning changes in the City of Chehalis.

• Plan resubmittal and a third round of reviews for the West Bay Yards project in Olympia.

• Local elections.

• …and more.

Thank you for your efforts and dedication to the OMB mission, which continues to be to provide affordable housing for all economic segments of society. If you have any further questions or interest in government affairs, please contact our Government Affairs Director, Jessie Simmons, at (360)754-0912 or ga@omb.org.

Meet JESSIE SIMMONS

Olympia Master Builders' new Government Affairs Director

Jessie Simmons is a combat veteran turned local politico who comes to us by way of Fort Worth, Texas. He now lives with his wife and three children (all teenagers) in Lacey. Jessie is passionate about many of the issues surrounding the building industry, but especially the obstacles that make it consistently more expensive to build homes for members of our community. He brings with him a wealth of education and experience in many different areas.

Jessie spent his early years in the workforce in a variety of positions including time spent as a butcher’s assistant, a fish cutter, and a glass glazier that put in windows in high rise buildings. He signed up for the United States Army at 25 and spent the next 8 years serving in locations such as Kuwait, Iraq, South Korea, Hawaii, and Washington State. His family finally decided to permanently call Washington home in 2014. He and his wife now try to spend time in the community as much as possible and have even become involved heavily in local politics.

Jessie has accomplished several of his goals since leaving the military and settling here including attaining two master’s degrees in political science and political management, as well as running for political office just last year. Though his campaign for Port of Olympia Commissioner fell slightly short, he feels he has gained valuable experience and knowledge of the local political arena and how to navigate government. He brings with him not only the knowledge gained from political campaign work and management, but the relationships he has built along the way. In his free time, you might find him at a concert, at a game (baseball or football), or cooking some REAL Texas BBQ. Jessie has already been doing the work, but he looks forward to the task of taking on the next challenges the Government Affairs Director role may bring.

A

thank

ONE YEAR

American-Built Fences, LLC

West Pro Painting, Inc.

2-4

YEARS

Daniel Gale Home Remodel & Repair

The Landall Group, LLC

Doyle Construction, LLC

Jim Henry Design Services, Inc.

Precision Patio Covers

Sutter Metals, LLC

Family Man Remodeling

Hansen Construction Group

International Wood Products

Jackie Ashley RE/MAX Northwest Realtors

Keen-Eye Landscaping

Mud Bay Geotechnical Services, LLC

The Land Developer, LLC

5-9 YEARS

American Workforce Group, Inc.

Barbo’s Plumbing, LLC

C & E Developments, LLC

Curb Master, Inc.

Gorman Roofing Services

High Definition Homes

PIONEER Technologies Corporation

Prime Building & Development, LLC

Tanglewilde Lumber, Inc.

Wiseman Utilities, Inc.

Winston Quarry, Inc.

Dunamis Interiors & Design Build

Premier Power Electric, LLC

Valley Supply Company

10-14 YEARS

D&R Communications, Inc.

Pacific Air Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.

Better Homes Home Improvements, Inc.

Environmental Design, LLC

Bliss & Skeen Certified Public Accountants

Thurston County Chamber of Commerce

Bath Fitter

Olympic Door & Trim

A-1 Roofing, Inc.

Virgil Adams Real Estate, Inc.

15-19

YEARS

Allied Electric Service, Inc.

Express Employment Professionals

Goebel Septic Tank Service, Inc.

Johnson Custom Homes, LLC

Home Resource Co.

Hung Right Doors, LLC

20-24 YEARS

Hinkle Homes, Inc.

Town & Country Roofing, Inc.

Harrington Construction & Development, Inc.

John Erwin Remodeling, Inc.

Weatherguard Roofing, Inc.

Andrew Spear Construction, LLC

Drebick Investments, LLC

Lacey Door & Millwork

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you to these businesses that continue to hang their hats with us year after year!

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1211 STATE AVE. NE

OLYMPIA, WA 98506

$1.25 per copy

360-754-0912 800-456-6473

www.omb.org